MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 131, 26 February 1908, Page 4

MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC.

,' . AN'INTERESTING PAPER. Tho members of the: Incorporated Society of Musicians at Harrogate recently discussed tho subject of "Municipal Music and its possibilities, a'paper in which was read by Mr. H. A. --I'ricker, Leeds. City Organist. Tho. value of study and practice of music as an educational and refining forco, said Mr. Fricker, had been perceived by almost all the great minds since the days of Plato,' and the (lav was not far distant when music would bo considered a3 one of tho necessary subjects of study in tho education of evory boy and girl in England. Speaking of what is done at Leeds, lie. said the teaching of music was systematic, but faulty in many dotails. Tho teaching qf singing as regard's vocal tone was as a goneral rule lamentable, and. tho same thing prevailed'all over .tho country. l As far' as Leeds,, was concerned, he hoped soon to be able to recommend tho appointment of an expert'in voice culture: The effect would be felt in a few years. Many a, good voice would be preserved, and the correct habits acquired in early ljfe would spare tho teacher of singing and the clioir-, master many an unholy shock. He believed' theory and sight... singing in elementary schools were fairly well taught, but the chief fault was that tho teaching'led nowhere, as a : goodly proportion of the instruction was speedily forgotten as soon as the children left school.- Evening continuation schools might stop this waste. Tho pianoforte was already taught in sonio of tho elementary schools iu Leeds, but this was not chough for the purpose. Violin; classes should be formed' and graded as; junior, and senior. The next stop to-this would "bo '• ensoinblo classes; then would follow-a string orchestra'; and as tho work developed tho ultima to goal should bo a full orchestra. This scheme was by no means new, ns it had been tried with success in London, Sheffield ; and Maidstone. Scholarships; should bo provided and-attached to tho violin classes for the purpose of encouraging real talent. For tho '.girls he suggested evening continuation classes for choral singing. llien would como tho choral society, graded by a definite standard for eacli grade. If such a scheme-'became general, in our elementary schools a grand work would be done for future generations, a good standard of tasto. would ,be cultivated, and there would be a certain percentage of boys and girls with something to. do when tlioy left school instead of lolling_ about tho streets, drifting int-o shift-less habits. Tho teachers would, of course, be trained to the work, and the study should not only be instructive but interest-

ing. The question might well bo asked, was thero any need for municipal schools of music? His answer was most emphatically yes. Municipal authorities now had the elementary and secondary education under their control, and they 'wero tho 1 -.bettor able to undortake tho teaching of music in u more systematic and thorough maimer than the private teacher. He did not nieau that tho

privnto tcaclior did not teach well and ably, but tlio municipal school would bo ablo to givo each pupil a broader musical education. Vocalists would bo taught to think that there was something clso to learn besides tho art of producing vocal tone of great beauty. Young organists would learn that Bach's organ fugues represented only-a small portion of tho compositions of that great man, and tho solo pianist would bo of greater service to humanity at largo if ho could accompany a song or instrumental solo well,l and sustain • his part in a pianoforte trio or quartct : creditably. Many did theso things well, but many did not. Tho demand-for orchestral music was slowly but surely being felt in this country. Private enterprise) would havo nothing to do with tho subject.. Tliero was not enough money to bo mado out of it, and municipal orchestras wero tho only solution of tho difficulty. Municipalities had every facility, large-halls,' and'easy methods of advertising, and it only required a proper modicum of public spirit and enterpriso to confer a lasting benefit upon present and future generations. Ho. did not agrco that tho masses required only " popular" music. He agreed with Ruskin that tho end of art was not to.amuse, but to interest arid educato. Tho public church and chapel choirs wero_ necessarily out of tho purview of tho municipality, but_ in timo they also wero bound to feel tho improvement;. Tho private teacher would naturally ask, "Whero dp I stand in your scheme. Ho could'only answer that each' municipal authority ■ would naturally select tho best teachers, and that tlio futuro-.of tho private teacher would.'/bo in tho hands of a municipal authority or of Providence. (Laughter.) But if his scheme were developed, the number of those studying music would increase by leaps and bounds, and inoro teachers- would bo required. If tho private 'teacher.wero well equipped and thoroughly up to date, ho or .sue need havo no j fear for tho future.